[Challenger]

Was the tree cutting act a crime that might rise to the level of a state enforcement agency? Isn't a resulting log pile on one's property not " prima facia'" evidence that the property owner was involved or at least famaliar with the facts of the crime? Is an agreement among people knowledgeable of the fact "not to talk" if fact a criminal conspiracy? Might there be a group in the community that would have standing to bring civil action against the receiver of "stolen" public property? POA? HOA? CDD?

I firmly believe that the act was commited by persons who have done similar arogant and selfish things to others, many , many times . I know that there are folks who are tired of hearing about this issue, but the are also many who agree that this act should not be allowed to stand when there is so much info that points to a small number of people.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by CFrance

There aren't that many crimes around the old jailhouse, bloodless or otherwise, that they can't thoroughly investigate them all. This isn't NYC. Somebody is shoving this one under the rug for some reason, in my opinion. The poster whose opinion it is that TV does not want the publicity has the answer, methinks.

I think I am the poster you refer to. To clarify: my point was that the desire to avoid bad publicity is one possible explanation for the Sheriff's decision not to aggressively investigate what appears to be a solvable case. (See my earlier post re possible investigative actions.). There are also other possible explanations -- some more benign and some more sinister.

However, this crime involves a loss of around $40,000. To dismiss it as inconsequential, as some posters do, is both naive and absurd.

Furthermore, if the Sheriff did start to turn up the heat in the investigation, the likely outcome would be that the perpetrator(s) suddenly find Jesus and hire a lawyer. The lawyer goes to the prosecutor. A deal is cut for reimbursement, a guilty plea to a misdemeanor, and a fine.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Advogado

I think I am the poster you refer to. To clarify: my point was that the desire to avoid bad publicity is one possible explanation for the Sheriff's decision not to aggressively investigate what appears to be a solvable case. (See my earlier post re possible investigative actions.). There are also other possible explanations -- some more benign and some more sinister.

However, this crime involves a loss of around $40,000. To dismiss it as inconsequential, as some posters do, is both naive and absurd.

Furthermore, if the Sheriff did start to turn up the heat in the investigation, the likely outcome would be that the perpetrator(s) suddenly find Jesus and hire a lawyer. The lawyer goes to the prosecutor. A deal is cut for reimbursement, a guilty plea to a misdemeanor, and a fine.

I think that your last paragraph would be the most likely outcome if we keep up the pressure. I would be satisfied if that were the case and the name of the felon (s) were made available to the public.

[Cedwards38]

Without strict enforcement of laws, this will happen again, and again, and again. We ALL have to live by the rules, and for those who don't there should be consequences. And we depend on our elected officials to enforce that for the collective US. Yes, this is a matter of law, but also a matter of principle, and none in this community should be above either. I am moved by Challenger's signature quote:

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
― Edmund Burke

[CFrance]

It's surprising to me that people are so up in arms over the MMP striping at $3/person but think this $40,000 tree cutting fine issue should just be forgotten about.

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by CFrance

It's surprising to me that people are so up in arms over the MMP striping at $3/person but think this $40,000 tree cutting fine issue should just be forgotten about.

They are north of 466 and the tree cutting fine does not come from thier pockets?

[Polar Bear]

I don't think the issue should just be forgotten about at all. But I also don't believe good men are doing nothing. I simply believe there is not enough real evidence at this time to file any charges. Call me naive, but I don't think there is any conspiracy or coverup.

[Cedwards38]

Apparently the amnesty offer has not caused the perpetrators to come forward, and why should it! Though I applaud the offer of prosecution amnesty, why should they come forward since it seems we are no closer to solving this crime than we've ever been?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I don't think the issue should just be forgotten about at all. But I also don't believe good men are doing nothing. I simply believe there is not enough real evidence at this time to file any charges. Call me naive, but I don't think there is any conspiracy or coverup.

That is it in a nutshell


I cannot think of anyone gaining anything at all by hiding real knowledge of what happened. Maybe someone witnessed it or heard it but they don't know for sure which person, or how many were involved. Maybe the people who are behind this are very intimidating and the person who heard something is timid. There are all kinds of neighborhood dynamics that might be at play. Being awfully sure and testifying that you are completely sure are two separate things.


When our older daughter was here, we spent several hours by the pool in our backyard. That afternoon there was a lawn cutting service who was working on several lawns nearby. Their machines were so noisy, and some sounded like buzzsaws. I think that it is entirely possible that the noise could have been overlooked as lawn maintenance. The homes are large and widely spaced and have a lot of side yard landscaping that screens the backyards from view of the street. The trees were removed from an area way to the back and completely off their property. The streets wind around there and the view of it happening may have been obscured by how the homes are placed. It isn't a new straight street like many of us live on with new landscaping that people can see across several yards.


I don't know. I didn't do it, don't know who did it. I think they should pay, and maybe will eventually.

[CFrance]

There is no way someone could be cutting down trees in your next-door neighbor's yard and you wouldn't know it. Tree cutting does not sound like lawn mowing.

The only explanation is that everyone around for three homes on either side were away. Unlikely. And since this goes back to at least January, that is doubtful.

[2BNTV]

Latest news, (several days ago), in the DS, said the investigation of who did this, is at a dead end with no leads.

They offered not to prosecute, if the person/s responsible, would pay for the damages. Personally, I think several people were in collusion to make this happen and no one knows who did it? Sounds fishy to me.

I think if they haven't found who did this yet, no one is going to come forward and pay 25K or so, to correct this injustice. IMHO

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by CFrance

There is no way someone could be cutting down trees in your next-door neighbor's yard and you wouldn't know it. Tree cutting does not sound like lawn mowing.

The only explanation is that everyone around for three homes on either side were away. Unlikely. And since this goes back to at least January, that is doubtful.

The first report of this incident was asking if anyone had any information of the event, which occurred between November 15th and December 31st of last year.

[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

That is it in a nutshell


I cannot think of anyone gaining anything at all by hiding real knowledge of what happened. Maybe someone witnessed it or heard it but they don't know for sure which person, or how many were involved. Maybe the people who are behind this are very intimidating and the person who heard something is timid. There are all kinds of neighborhood dynamics that might be at play. Being awfully sure and testifying that you are completely sure are two separate things.


When our older daughter was here, we spent several hours by the pool in our backyard. That afternoon there was a lawn cutting service who was working on several lawns nearby. Their machines were so noisy, and some sounded like buzzsaws. I think that it is entirely possible that the noise could have been overlooked as lawn maintenance. The homes are large and widely spaced and have a lot of side yard landscaping that screens the backyards from view of the street. The trees were removed from an area way to the back and completely off their property. The streets wind around there and the view of it happening may have been obscured by how the homes are placed. It isn't a new straight street like many of us live on with new landscaping that people can see across several yards.


I don't know. I didn't do it, don't know who did it. I think they should pay, and maybe will eventually.

Seriously, " I can't think of anyone gaining anything by hiding real knowledge of what happened". For starters how about the person who hired the crew to cut down the trees for their own benefit. Not really much of a stretch to come to that conclusion. Amazing!

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

Seriously, " I can't think of anyone gaining anything by hiding real knowledge of what happened". For starters how about the person who hired the crew to cut down the trees for their own benefit. Not really much of a stretch to come to that conclusion. Amazing!

I seriously doubt gg was referring to the actual perpetrator. I agree with her post.

[Advogado]

Two observations:

1. The Distict was optimistic if it thought that the perpetrator(s) would turn themselves in after the District announced that the Sheriff had closed the investigation.

If the District really wants the perpetrators to turn themselves in, the Distict should now announce that: The Sheriff is going to aggressively reopen the investigation (and have the Sheriff do so). If the perpetrator(s) turn themselves in before they are arrested and offer to pay restitution, their cooperation will be taken into consideration by the prosecutor. If they do not do so, the prosecutor will charge them with a felony with no plea bargain, and they will face 5 years in prison.

2. Our calls to the Sheriff's Office have not resulted in a vigorous investigation (subpoenas etc.). Maybe we should try calling the County Commissioners. One of them, Don Hahnfeldt, former VHA president and current candidate for the state legislature, lives quite close to the crime scene. Perhaps he could both encourage the Sheriff to take further action and urge any neighbors with relevant information to come forward.